Elkhart County ParksAnnual Report

2011

Elkhart County Park BoardJeff Burbrink, PresidentCassidy Fritz, Vice-PresidentKarin Frey, SecretaryLarry AndrewsKaren MackowiakJohn P. HardyKlaus Mueller

Elkhart County Board of CommissionersTerry Rodino, PresidentMike Yoder, Vice-PresidentFrank Lucchese, Member

Elkhart County CouncilDavid E. Foutz, District 1Randall D. Yohn, District 2Clarence J. Yoder, District 3Donald E. Abel, District 4John K. Letherman, At LargeDennis E. Sharkey, At LargeDavid M. Ashe, At Large

Administrative StaffLarry Neff, DirectorScott VanOmmerman, Superintendent of ParksRonda DeCaire, Superintendent of OperationsMarlene Lantzer, SecretaryRobyn Buenger, Bookkeeper

Parks DivisionMark Renkewicz, Public Safety CoordinatorGary Plank, West Area ManagerSteve Gangloff, East Area ManagerKrystin Hildebrandt, Bonneyville Park ManagerOxana Werbiansky, Park Services IDennis Dearth, Ox Bow Park ManagerCarl Chupp, Park Services IIJason Woody, Park Services I Denny Paff, River Preserve Park ManagerLynn Matthews, Park Services IIJim Cripe, Cobus Creek Park ManagerBernard Cunningham, Park Services IMary Polk/Craig Kirkwood, Pumpkinvine Trail Manager

Operations DivisionJerry Good, Marketing CoordinatorJohn Jenney, Bonneyville Mill ManagerAndy Langdon, Interpretive NaturalistCourtney Franke, Interpretive NaturalistKrista Daniels, Interpretive NaturalistMatt Schuld/Nick Hoffman, Museum Director/CuratorElizabeth Haeuptle/Diana Zornow, Curator of CollectionsRebecca Oestreich, Curator of EducationTerry Hartman, Maintenance IErin Ransom/Sandra Lichtenberger, SecretaryFrank Fisher, Docent

Special thank you to all of our seasonal staff.

Agency Profile

Mission Statement The Elkhart County Parks Department mission is to enhance the quality of life, preserve the County’s cultural, historical, and natural resources; and provide education and recreational opportunities.

Guiding Principles

• Integrity The Department will work toward its mission in an honest and ethical fashion. As a result it will develop a commitment to its customer base and be viewed as dependable in its facilities and services.

• Accountability The Department will strive to be responsive and dependable in dealing with park visitors, citizens and elected officials.

• Quality Service The Department will strive to provide the highest level of service in a fiscally responsible manner bringing excellence to all facilities and services.

• Teamwork The Department will make every effort to retain a diverse staff who will work together to promote a positive attitude, clear communication and support for each other as well as department activities.

• Vision The Department will look to the future by using creativity and continuing educational opportunities to develop new programs and services that will manage, protect and maximize our resources on a sustainable basis for present and future generations.

Directors Statement

The intended purpose of the Elkhart County Parks and Recreation Department annual report is to provide public officials and our community a summary of our fiscal activity and accomplishments in our parks. The annual report also gives us the opportunity to thank the many supporters of the Elkhart County Park Department. We appreciate

the opportunity to work successfully with the Elkhart County Council and the Elkhart County Commissioners. We have maintained partnerships and sponsorships with many businesses, organizations, and volunteers throughout the year. Without these relationships in the community, we would not be able to sustain our many parks and programs. Our staff and Park Board work diligently to maintain the highest park standards possible so park visitors may enjoy their park experience. We thank all of you for a very successful 2011.

Department Staff

In 2011 we experienced numerous accomplishments and changes to our parks. To our staff, the most obvious change was in personnel. Larry Neff was appointed as the new Elkhart County Park Director. He replaced the retired Dan Seltenright who had been the director for over 34 years. Larry has been with the Department over 30 years and 22 years as the Superintendent of Parks.

Two employees retired, Diane Zornow at the Elkhart County Museum and Craig Kirkwood at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Both were long time staff with accumulation of over 30 years experience. They will be missed. Also leaving the Department was the Museum Manager, Nick Hoffman. Nick took a similar position in Wisconsin, his home state. His energy and creative ideas on museum management were an inspiration to all staff, not just the Museum. This made three positions to be filled and the moving of Larry to Director left a fourth position of Superintendent of Parks available. We know that we have found four excellent staff replacements; all of them come highly experienced, dedicated to their chosen field and bursting with new energy. They are Matt Schuld, who is our new Museum Manager, Elizabeth Haeuptle our new Curator of Collections, Scott VanOmmeran has taken the position as Superintendent of Parks and Mary Polk has joined the staff at Bonneyville Mill County Park as the Assistant Park Manager. We welcome them to our park staff and are confident that wonderful achievements will result from these four talented individuals.

Trails Each year we are creeping closer to completing the connections of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail that winds its way from Goshen in Elkhart County approximately 17 miles to Shipshewana in LaGrange County. Of this distance, the Elkhart County Park is developing approximately 7.5 miles of hard surface trail.

• This year we saw the completion of the US 20 bike tunnel. This project was a part of the Federal stimulus package as were the renovation of a wooden trestle bridge, a parking lot at CR 37/22, and the paving of a little over a third of a mile of trail.

• Even more impressive was the construction of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail linking Elkhart County to LaGrange County, Shipshewana to Middlebury. This 7.2 mile section has been waiting nearly 8 years for a ribbon cutting and this was the year it happened.

• We also received a Recreational Trails Program Grant from the Indiana Department of Natural resources to connect the tunnel 1.2 miles to the southwest to CR 35 completing all but one small section along SR 13 on the north side of Middlebury to be completed by the County Parks.

Wetlands

Another long anticipated project was the wetland restoration project at the River Preserve. One of the goals of the Department has been the reestablishing of wetlands between the hydraulic canals of the River Preserve and the Elkhart River. This was the year that the Indiana Department of Transportation began a wetland mitigation project to renovate two small fields, approximately 17 acres, back into wetlands at the River Preserve near the Benton Spillway. The project was nearly finished when a very wet period of high water struck the Elkhart River corridor. Unfortunately there was a washing of seed and sediment throughout the project. Nevertheless, it is a new wetland and will become an asset to the natural areas of Elkhart County.

Accomplishments

Parks

• Bonneyville Mill received a new coat of paint as well as some new entrance/bridge decking to the entrance and over the flume bridge.

• Cobus Creek County Park continued to receive habitat restoration to Cobus Creek. This is becoming a higher quality trout stream thanks to the efforts of students of Valparaiso University and Joe Mitchell.

• Eagle Scout David Martinus developed a series of bluebird houses at Cobus Creek County Park in the prairie and meadow areas.

• Ox Bow Haus Shelter received a new roof in 2012.

• We have agreed to manage the new 6-Span Landing on the St. Joseph River which is owned by the Elkhart County Commissioners. With the construction of a new bridge over the St. Joseph River the Commissioners were excited to construct a new boat launch near the bridge. The site also includes a modern rest room plus access to a new trail that crosses the river and winds its way on the north river road (CR 8) toward Elkhart. This is an extremely busy site for access to the River.

• A rain garden was created near the Ox Bow Park Gate House. The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District, Indiana Master Naturalists and volunteers partnered together to construct this water saving feature.

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• Bonneyville Mill Park became a part of the popular Quilt tour with a mural on the south side of the barn. The Elkhart County Historical Museum had a planted Quilt Garden added in front of the Museum.

• Large special events continue to grow. The department now offers the Bonneyville Celebration, the DeFries Gardens Juried Art Show, Bark in the Park, and Gathering at Five Medals.

• A series of mid-size events continue to be featured in our annual calendar. Programs such as Bug Day, ChillFest, Halloween Campfires, and Authors and Artists Day continue to grow. A popular new event this year was the Holiday at the Mill which featured festivities in early November including crafters, baked goods and the mill decorated for the season.

• The Friends of the Elkhart County Parks sponsored their own event this past year. A live Hawk and Owl Program filled the gym at the Museum with children and adults who enjoyed the show.

• Temporary exhibits at the Elkhart County Historical Museum featured the Heritage Quilt Challenge and Secret Societies: Worthy Brothers and Sisters. Hundreds of people visited these exhibits while on display at the museum.

• The Second Annual Tower Run was hosted by the Two Rivers Running Club. The tower fund is now up to almost $62,000 and the department is 1/3 of the way to its original goal of building a tower. Grants are being written and we are still seeking donations and sponsors.

Interpretation

2011 BUDGET

Condensed Financial Report 2011

OPERATING CAPITAL DONATIONStarting Balance $163,956.35 $213,184.98 $207,721.89

Income $106,638.29 $113,315.51 $172,936.23

Expended $103,863.15 $34,387.56 $206,009.91

Ending Balance $166,731.49 $292,112.93 $174,648.21

REVENUE

BUDGETAppropriated $1,267,740.00 Expended $1,216,354.56 Ending balance $51,385.44 General Park Balance $275,821.64

OPERATING

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Annual Visitation

The Operations Division of the Elkhart County Parks works to educate thousands of people each year in cultural and natural resources. Over 70,818 people are reached through education programs, special events and outreach. This total includes the following:

Museum11,672 people were reached this year by Elkhart County Historical Museum staff. Visitors enjoy field trips, public programs, and general tours of the exhibits. This year over 2,500 people also attended the 3rd Annual Gathering at Five Medals event at the River Preserve County Park.

One Room School House Master Murray educated 797 teachers and students at the One Room School House in 2011. This popular all-day program continues to grow and is a favorite for those wishing to allow children a one room school house experience.

Interpretive Naturalists/OperationsThe Interpretive Naturalists reached over 44,430 in 2011. This included over 15,915 people through environmental education programs, public programs, day camps, special events, scout programs, and adult club programs. They also came in contact with an additional 28,515 through outreach at various event booths and exhibits including the Elkhart County Fair.

Bonneyville MillBonneyville Mill was a destination for 13,919 people including 2,788 for historical education programs. The Mill is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Elkhart County as well as a facility for hands-on education with local school groups.

Parks, Shelters & AdministrationThere were 388 shelter reservations within the four major county parks. The administrative office also took 6,374 phone calls and 1,228 walk-in visitors. Over 327,000 people visit the Elkhart County Parks on an annual basis. Three areas with an especially continuous growing attendance are DeFries Gardens, Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and Cobus CreekCounty Park.

Donations, Grants and Sponsorships

Event & Project SponsorsElisabeth DeFriesBristol Parks DepartmentGoshen Community SchoolsGoshen Painter’s GuildPeter MestellePfizer FoundationRiver Tenders

Bark in the ParkThree Point VeterinaryFaithful Friends Pet Cremation ServiceMiddlebury Animal ClinicGonna Bark! Pet SuppliesConcord K-9

Bonneyville CelebrationElkhart County Convention & Visitors BureauFabric ServicesJaycoMolded Foam ProductsEby’s Inc.

DeFries Gardens Juried Art ShowDave & Faye PottingerJohn Egli, MDWaterford Crossing

New Paris TelephoneChester Law OfficeTopeka PharmacyChristopher & Fran BarthBarth Custom Graphics

Gathering at Five MedalsGoshen Home MedicalInterra Credit UnionPheasants Forever IncWelty & Sons Well DrillingIndiana Community BankVintage Base BallHaciendaSturgis Area Chamber of CommerceHenry Ford/Edison Institute

Ox Bow Tower FundRonald WardReva & Donald BurgerCheryl WeaverBryan ShawWabash Electric/John ForessterRosemary CorpeDaniel JonesRon GeyerJessica Roberts

Ox Bow Elementary StudentsStephen & Julie BachmanLawrence SchollJim & Sherry SmithMegan Shaw Ken LungKayla & Tamyra KilliamDiana & Warren LinnKari & Rachel HuangMartin & Garrett FlowersTJ & Jeff StueveAdam PolhemusDonna & David GriffithLachelle HarrisCutting EdgeAdam PolheimusMapleNet Wireless/SponsorshipPeter CasalettoKaren MackowiakGiovanni LopezSt. Vincent De Paul SchoolLowell BaileyPerry BeaboutDennis Sensenich

In-Kind Sponsors/Program DonationsConcord MallDutchmaid BakeryMartin’s Pet and GardenWindmill AcresSerenity GardensLouanne HarmsMike GygiLighthouse ImagingGene’s Camera StoreShutter HugsWalmart AccentsABC WarehouseBetter World Books Martin’s Super Market McDonald’s Next Door Neighbor Deli & Bakery Electric BrewMaple City BowlGordon Food ServiceMeijer Travel TenderK-MartCarl Chupp

Goodwill of South BendKercher’s Pumpkin PatchRachel’s BreadSautter’s GreenhouseCarole MitchellJim KeckOld Country BuffetShutterhugsSupreme Corporation

Park PartnersThe Elkhart County Parks Department collaborates with many individuals, agencies and businesses through Elkhart County. These park partners ensure success-ful events, funding and donations for special projects and offer teams of helping hands.

Ancon ConstructionBig Brothers & Big Sisters of Elkhart CountyBonneyville Millers Base Ball ClubBoy Scouts of AmericaCCJConcord Mall

Friends of the Elkhart CountyParks, Inc.Elkhart City Police and K9 DogsElkhart City ParksElkhart County Historical SocietyElkhart County Living Magazine/Maple City MediaElkhart Environmental CenterMiddlebury ParksFriends of the Pumpkinvine, Inc.WNIT – Outdoor ElementsElkhart County Genealogical SocietyElkhart County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictNRCSIndiana Master Naturalists-Elkhart County Alumni GroupElkhart County Convention and Visitors BureauMiddlebury Garden ClubGoshen Public LibraryGoshen Painter’s GuildSecond Chance Dog RescueThe Dahlia SocietyTwo Rivers Running ClubRW Armstrong

VolunteersVolunteers contributed over 6,000 hours of community service to the Elkhart County Parks. We are grateful to the volunteer organizations, individuals, schools, and businesses who partner with us on variety of projects from citizen science to maintenance.

Park VolunteersJoe AbbottCindy & Emily AndrewsLarry AndrewsTom ArendtJennifer BaldwinJim BareRuth BeasleyDevin BeckertTrice BerkleyAnita BentleyBethany High SchoolAimee BjornstadtAndrew BontragerDennis BontragerDon BontragerElvie BontragerTodd BostwickJames Boulton

Kim BoultonMac BoyerDon ByelerWilly BuckDeb BylsmaCalififornia Road Missionary ChurchTony CamponelloAnna Marie CamposanaCatholic Services Church CampBob CarricoTim CataldoCarol CavinessShelly ChaffeeKim ChildsTravis ChildsGary ChuppJesse ChuppConcord Jr. High Government ClassDan CoyDahlia SocietyMark DanielsJohn W. DavisMary DavisLeon DeanMabel DerbraLucy Dickey

Chris & Susan DietzDunlap Methodist ChurchScout TroopGlenn DyksenTom EnrightEd FarmwaldGwen FerlandRafael FernandezJudy FerrellMiguel FinoDwight FishLarry FordAlfredo FortizElly FrankeLuke FrankeMary FrankeMax FrankeRoger & Pat FrankeKarin FreyJessica FriedenAngie GingerichNancy GleimSuzanne GrayLindsay GrossmanGoshen Painters GuildKatrina GodziszDanny Graber

John GraberLaurina GraberDeborah A. GoodBecky GuteShawn & Kyle HannonJohn & Elaine HarleyBrad HamiltonPriscilla HileLauren HodgesMarilyn HorvathLyman & Sherry HugElizabeth HummelLiz JacobsJaneen JohnsonClyde JensenGlenda JenneyHannah JohnsonMike JudsonJeff KauffmanMary Kauffman-KennelMarlo KauffmanGary KeisterMarshall KingTitus KingMelissa KinseyEvie & Craig KirkwoodNancy Kitson

Steve KruseSteve KuiperBrad LantzerGerald & Deb LeeMerlin LehmanChristian LoyuKerry LyleTony LynnJean LynnSteve LynnVern MaceKaren MackowiakMary MartinLori MassaVincent MassaBetty MauzyPeter MestelleRuth MiddletonBurne & Jody MillerGlendon MillerLois MillerMarcus MillerNeal MillerPerry MillerTyler MillerVern & Judy MillerRon Mishler

Carole MitchellLeah Moreno Stephan MorrisDarrell Moore Scott NamestnikSusie NeffClark NiemitaloBruce NofzigerCarol NovyTom & Miriam NowakCheyenne OsborneAllen PeacheyMaria PeacockJessica PerzMarkus PettiesErick PinedaEricka PopovichTyler PriceDan RaberLene RaberMarsha RaberJon RaberDave RaberLinda RenaudBob RhodesJim & Lois RhodesDoris Rody

Kathy RoyerSue RoweKathryn RunnionBrian SagerDiana SantillanSecond Chance Dog RescueDan SerafinoLeland ShaumHeather SovineAllen StrikeBarbie Swihart StutzmanJack St. PierreChristian TellezChuck ThompsonBrett TobiasNatasha TuckerVera TuckerLori TwiningTwo Rivers Running ClubBrent TobiasMatt VanSoestLarry VardamKelly Vicente-MayoralDoug WaltersCathleen WilletPatrick WheelerTerri Wiley

Julia WitmerDiane WynnEmma WynnEnos YoderGaye YoderJason YoderJohn YoderLeon YoderMonica YoderMyron YoderPerry YoderBob & Wanda Zoller

Museum Volunteers Tim AshleyAndrea and Dennis BadkeTim BainterErvin BeckMarcia BrennemanMaggie BrummerSarah BrummerGrant CatonJessica CascianoJohn ClarkChristiana QuestersVicki Brown ComstockMary & Bob CulpCindy Deardorff

Linda DempsterTodd EadsRay and Susan EnfieldDiane EricksonGoshen Masonic Lodge #12Fairview GrangeFrank FisherDenise Kolb HernandezAlice HessertWanda HoffmanKaren HooverPhyllis & Gordon HostetlerDean and Ruth HuppPat JohnsonBob JudsonMike JudsonBreanne JudsonDonna KooistraLorri & Jay KrullKarl LehmanPaxton ManlyMaple City Quilt GuildGreg MillerBob & Kathie MyersFaye PetersonMartha PickrellBrian PinnegarDonna RomeroMadison Sayre

Lois SchmelingMark SchurrJerry ScottTodd SheetsJan B. ShetlerJohn ShoupSara SmokerSusan SouthSandy Van TilburgJohn ThompsonKenny WadeDan WatsonCarl WiesingerDiana Zornow

All the wonderful re-enactorswho gave of their time andresources for the Gathering atFive Medals event.

Vintage Base Ball VolunteersRaymond BaloghNorma Barrera-MilesSteven CashAdam FlemingMark GarrettLamar HostetlerAndrew HicksJames LittlepageTieler Littlepage

Burne MillerJodi MillerKevin MillerMark NovaraPatrick NorvaChris SpataroJason StacyJamie StacyKara StacyConnor StacyCindy SterlingMartin Valerio

2011 Annual ReportContributing PhotographersAllen BrennemanRonda DeCaireJerry GoodDanny GraberAudie HostetlerJoyce McGuireCarl MetzlerLinda RenaudChar RuleValerie Jean SchaferJohn Yoder